US Patent 7221769 Hearing aid adapted for discrete operation

The present invention relates to a hearing aid, which allows a hearing aid user to discretely operate his/her hearing aid by applying a force to a portion of the ear carrying the hearing aid. A number of different functions of the hearing aid, such as turning a battery supply on/off, adjusting a volume control, selecting a particular pre-programmed listening program, etc., may be provided in a hearing aid according to the present invention—all without directly engaging the hearing aid or switches or potentiometers thereof. Furthermore, if the hearing aid is adapted for use within the ear canal, the present invention may provide user assistance so to allow simple and convenient removal of the aid from the ear canal.